With Luis Suarez very possibly on the way out as his transfer saga continues, Costa would represent a hand-picked and very capable replacement.

Rodgers has been coerced by the media to give the public a lot of information (I use that word with extreme caution) about the situation surrounding Suarez, although not all of it is entirely…well…believable. Rodgers’ claim that Suarez is “happy” at Anfield could behind the scenes be fueling some movement.

The swoop for Costa would work very well for both parties, it would seem. Liverpool would obviously gain leverage on Suarez and a replacement for if he were in fact to depart, and a talented one at that.

For Costa, the move would make him the leading number 9 at Liverpool – at least given the amount bid for his services – and would represent a chance for him to firmly remove himself from Radamel Falcao’s shadow. Primarily a winger at Atletico, Costa is certainly capable of playing up front. Costa’s had to play second-fiddle to Falcao since his move to Atletico in 2010, even being forced out on loan to Rayo Vallecano for half of the 2011/12 season.

While Liverpool aren’t exactly the biggest stage in England anymore, they certainly represent an opportunity for Costa to really step into the spotlight on his own.

The 24-year-old scored 10 La Liga goals and assisted 12 others last season in 31 appearances (24 starts), and banged in 20 total in all competitions mostly playing on the left wing. Falcao’s departure for Monaco seemed to have opened up the front for Costa to slide into, but Atletico purchased David Villa from Barcelona, so that door quickly shut.

The biggest knock to Costa’s talents is his discipline, but a chance of scenery could quell that part of his game.

It remains to be seen whether Costa’s arrival would see him slide up front if Suarez goes, or if new boy Iago Aspas would take the number 9 role, but the chance for the Brazilian is there. The Reds have also purchased left winger Luis Alberto from Sevilla, so Costa would certainly have competition at either position.

Cecilio Dominguez and Mateus Uribe each bagged a brace, and Renato Ibarra also scored as the tournament’s top team sauntered into and out of Costa Rica on Wednesday. Club America has been to seven CCL finals, and one every single one.

West Ham United will pay a visit to Dag & Red as part of the latter’s #SaveTheDaggers campaign, and the March 21 date will cost fans between $7 and $21 to see a top flight side at 6,000-seat Victoria Road.

“So please come on down to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for an additional night of football. Bring a friend, or two, or more and we can use the gate takings to help get us back on track,” reads a press release.

Dag & Red was founded in 1992 and climbed as high as League One in 2011, and plays just 2.5 miles from West Ham United’s training ground. Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle are among Dag & Red alums in the Premier League.

It’s a terrific gesture from West Ham, and is even more impressive in the United States where the growing club game is increasingly cutthroat (especially between non-synced leagues).

Share this:

AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco absolutely roasted his charges after i Lupi tossed aside a Cenzig Under-inspired lead to fall 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Di Francesco had praise for Edin Dzeko, who assisted Under’s goal, as well as goalkeeper Alisson, but was mostly enraged by his side.

4) “The difference was that in the first half we tried to hurt them while in the second we were looking to hold on – to what? I don’t know.”

— “To what? I don’t know” is hilarious. Di Francesco’s side has posted some serious wins this season, including killing off Chelsea 3-0 at home and coming back from 2-0 to draw the Blues at Stamford Bridge. He doesn’t preach sitting back.

3) “There were far too many schoolboy errors – even by players with a wealth of international experience.”

— Schoolboy errors!

2) “I saw two completely different teams out there today. There were lots of players I should have taken off after we conceded the first goal.”

— Again, one mistake by a number of players on Facundo Ferreyra is enough for Di Francesco. He’s not just happy to be here.

1) “I can’t imagine we’d get arrogant just because we’re winning an important game. It’s not as if Roma are used to reaching the final every year.”

— When you’re willing to essentially rip an entire club’s history — Roma’s been to just two UCL quarterfinals since losing the final to Liverpool in 1984 — you’re putting your footprints in new cement.

Salzburg’s two away goals in a draw feels like a one-goal lead, and the one-goal matches are especially interesting. In the case of Atalanta, 1-0 to the Serie A side could undo Michy Batshuayi‘s first leg heroics for BVB.